John Thomas, Frenship's school superintendent, left, introduces Greg Hernandez as principal for the new Early College High School program on Monday.

"Mr. Hernandez, I would but I can't afford it," Hernandez recalled the student saying.

Hernandez will have an opportunity to help low-income students who dream of someday going to college.

He is the new principal for the Early College High School program, which targets students on reduced- or free-lunch programs and first-generation college goers, to help prepare them for college at no cost. Hernandez and the program were introduced during a Monday news conference at the high school library.

"I think this program can reach kids who want a post-secondary education," he said.

The program offers incoming freshmen this fall college prep courses in English, science, algebra and geography.

"The ultimate goal is to get the students to believe in themselves and get them college ready," said Hernandez.

Ninth-grade students spend two years in the program, which prepares them for early college or advanced placement courses offered by the high school. They will then gain an opportunity to enroll in dual credit college courses as juniors and seniors.

The program is limited to 100 students. Two parent information sessions are planned for this week. The first is at 5:30 p.m. today at Terra Vista Middle School. The second is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Frenship Middle School.

Frenship's early college high school program is being paid for through a $425,000 grant, which is part of the Texas High School project, the state, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and the Communities Foundation of Texas.